WoodRat vs Leigh — which router joinery system is right for you?
Leigh's dovetail jigs (the D4R Pro and the Super Jig range) are the best-known name in router dovetailing, and for good reason — they're well-engineered, well-supported, and widely distributed. If you're choosing between a Leigh jig and the WoodRat WR900, here's a straight comparison.
The core difference: specialist vs system
Leigh's jigs are built and sold around one job — dovetails (and, on some models, box joints) — done very well. The WR900 is a broader router joinery system: the same machine handles dovetails, mortise & tenon, tenoning, crosscut/dado joints, and batch cutting, using guide templates and fences rather than a fixed finger-comb jig.
Neither approach is "better" in the abstract — it depends on what you're actually cutting. If dovetails are 90% of your work, a dedicated Leigh jig is a fair, proven choice. If you want one machine that also does mortise & tenon and general joinery without buying (and storing, and learning) a second dedicated tool, that's the WR900's case to make.
How they compare
Price: WoodRat WR900 — £850. Leigh (D4R Pro) — approx. $1,069 (Leigh's own listed price).
Joint types: WoodRat WR900 — Dovetails, mortise & tenon, tenoning, crosscut/dado, batch cutting. Leigh — Dovetails, box joints.
Made in: WoodRat WR900 — UK. Leigh — Canada.
Warranty: WoodRat WR900 — 3-year parts warranty, 28-day guarantee. Leigh — Manufacturer warranty (check current terms).
Availability: WoodRat WR900 — In stock now. Leigh — Widely available (Rockler, Highland Woodworking, Amazon).
Upgrade path: WoodRat WR900 — Most accessories fit older WoodRat machines too. Leigh — Model-specific accessories.
The honest bit
Leigh has one real advantage worth naming: it's more widely distributed, especially in the US, so it's easier to see, touch, and buy locally. WoodRat is a smaller, UK-made operation selling direct — which also means you're dealing with the people who actually build the machine if something needs support.
Not sure which fits your work? Get in touch and describe what you're cutting — happy to give a straight answer, including if a Leigh jig is genuinely the better fit for you.